Magazine and firearm with positional adjustment of magazine spring

ABSTRACT

Positional adjustment of a firearm magazine spring is supported by various instrumentalities. A magazine housing has therein a locking assembly carried on the magazine spring and cooperable with a sidewall of the housing to releasably lock the spring to the housing. Contact portions that engage the spring and permit application of compressive force to the spring are provided variously as part of: an apparatus separate from a firearm; a magazine well of a firearm; and a magazine insertion opening in a firearm that is separate from a magazine well of the firearm.

This application is a continuation under 35 USC 120 of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 13/998,621, which was filed Nov. 18, 2013, andwhich is a continuation-in-part under 35 USC 120 of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/804,683, which was filed Jul. 27, 2010, and which claimspriority under 35 USC 119(e)(1) to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/273,643, which was filed Aug. 6, 2009. All of the aforementionedprior applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to firearms and, more particularly, toloading ammunition rounds into firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional firearm magazines require manual loading of ammunitionrounds one at a time through an upper opening into the magazine,progressively overcoming increasing resistance of a magazine spring. Ingeneral, as each ammunition round is loaded, it is pressed against apreviously loaded round. This loading operation requires increasingforce as more rounds are loaded into the magazine and the magazinespring is progressively compressed. This loading operation thus requiresthe firearm user to apply progressively increasing loading forces withtheir finger, which in turn progressively increases the fatigue on thefinger. Some people do not have the required finger strength to manuallyload a firearm magazine in this manner, or are simply unable to load themagazine to its designed ammunition round capacity.

Moreover, even those who are able to load the magazine to its fullcapacity are typically unable to load the last several ammunition roundsas quickly as the first several ammunition rounds were loaded.

It is therefore desirable to provide for easing the aforementioneddifficulties associated with loading ammunition rounds into aconventional firearm magazine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a firearm magazine according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the magazine of FIG. 1 assembled andprepared for loading according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the assembled magazine of FIG. 1 duringloading according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4-8E illustrate portions of the follower support apparatus ofFIGS. 1-3 in more detail.

FIG. 8F illustrates a magazine housing with tapered sidewall portionsaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate magazine spring compression tools according toexemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate portions of the follower support apparatus ofFIGS. 14 and 15 in more detail.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a further firearm magazine according toexemplary embodiments of the invention

FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of a magazine of FIG. 14 partially assembledaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate portions of the follower support apparatus ofFIGS. 14 and 15 in more detail.

FIGS. 19-22 illustrate firearms according to exemplary embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 23A-23E illustrate a lock plate for use with the firearms of FIGS.19-22.

FIG. 23F illustrates a magazine housing for use with the firearms ofFIGS. 19-22.

FIGS. 24 and 24A illustrate the release of lock buttons when a loadedmagazine is inserted into a magazine well of a firearm according toexemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 25-30 illustrate portions of firearms according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 31 illustrates a remainder of a firearm for use with the firearmportions of FIGS. 25-30 according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention.

FIGS. 32-34 illustrate embodiments having an alternative lock platearrangement for locking and releasing the magazine spring.

FIGS. 35 and 36 diagrammatically illustrate a locking assembly accordingto example embodiments of the present work.

FIG. 37 diagrammatically illustrates positional adjustment of themagazine spring to reduce the urging force that the spring applies tothe follower according to example embodiments of the present work.

FIG. 38 diagrammatically illustrates the magazine spring received in andextending through the locking assembly of FIGS. 35 and 36 according toexample embodiments of the present work.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components of a firearm magazineaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1,the magazine includes a housing 11 that is closed at its lower end by alower floor plate 12, on which is seated an upper floor plate 13. Theupper floor plate 13 holds a magazine spring 14 that extends upwardlyinto the housing 11. A pair of lock plates 15 are attached to a coil inthe upper half of the magazine spring 14.

The magazine of FIG. 1 further includes a follower 18 that is supportedfor movement within the housing 11 by a follower support apparatusincluding a telescoping member 16, a pin 17, and a threaded fastener 19.An upper end of the telescoping member 16 is pinned to the follower 18using the pin 17. The threaded fastener 19 (for example, a screw)extends through aligned holes within the lower and upper floor plates 12and 13 into a threaded opening at a lower end of the telescoping member16 in order to fasten the telescoping member 16 to the closed lower endof the housing 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates a magazine produced by assembling the components ofFIG. 1. A portion of the housing 11 is cut away in FIG. 2 in order toreveal the components within the housing 11. In the illustration of FIG.2, the lock plates 15 engage with the housing 11 to retain the magazinespring 14 in a compressed position within a lower portion of the housing11, while the telescoping member 16 supports the follower 18 at theopen, upper end of the housing 11.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the telescoping member 16 supports the follower18 for movement from the open upper end of housing 11 toward the closedlower end, thereby permitting ammunition rounds to be progressivelystacked onto the follower 18. In some embodiments, the telescopingmember 16 is mechanically constructed in generally the same manner as aconventional collapsible pointer or radio antenna. The telescopingmember 16 progressively retracts as the ammunition rounds are loadedonto the follower 18. When the magazine is fully loaded with ammunitionrounds, the lock plates 15 can be disengaged from the housing 11,thereby permitting the magazine spring 14 to forcibly urge the follower18 upwardly within the housing, as in conventional magazines. As themagazine is progressively emptied to load ammunition rounds into thefiring chamber, the telescoping member 16 extends progressively upwardlywith upward movement of the follower 18 as urged by the spring 14. Itcan be seen from FIG. 3 that the telescoping member 16 permits theammunition rounds to be stacked onto the follower 18 independently ofthe magazine spring 14 and its forcible upward urging. Moreover, thetelescoping member 16 does not apply forcible upward urging to thefollower 18 during loading of the ammunition rounds, but supports thefollower 18 for progressively downward motion as the ammunition roundsare progressively stacked onto the follower 18, overcoming therelatively small resistance provided by the telescoping member 16.

FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the pin 17 to connect the upper end of thetelescoping member 16 to the follower 18. The upper end of thetelescoping member 16 thus travels for movement with the follower 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, the telescoping member 16 includes a plurality oftelescoped sections. The top-most of these telescoped sections hasdefined therein a slot 51 that extends radially through and downwardlyinto the telescoping member 16. The slot 51 is defined between first andsecond upper end portions of the top-most telescoped section. Thesefirst and second upper end portions are disposed in generally opposedrelationship to one another at opposite sides of the slot 51. The firstand second upper end portions contain thru holes that are generallyaligned with one another such that the pin 17 of FIG. 4 can be insertedinto and passed through both of the thru holes and the slot 51therebetween. One of the thru holes 52 is visible in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates the follower 18 in more detail. The follower 18 hasan upper surface 60 on which ammunition rounds are stacked, as isconventional. The follower 18 further includes a generally conventionalspring catch structure including a pair of flanges 61 that extenddownwardly on opposite sides of a central follower extension portion 62.However, unlike the conventional spring catch structure, the followerextension portion 62 of FIG. 6 includes a thru hole 63 for receiving thepin 17 of FIGS. 1-4. As can be seen from FIGS. 1-6, when the telescopingmember 16 is fastened to the follower 18, the extended support portion62 of the follower 18 is received within the slot 51 of the telescopingmember 16 with the hole 62 of the follower 18 aligned with the holes 52of the telescoping member 16. With the telescoping member 16 and thefollower 18 in this position relative to one another, the pin 17 can beinserted into and passed through the thru holes 52 and 62, and the slot51, in order to fasten the follower 18 to the top-most telescopedsection of the telescoping member 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates the magazine spring 14 engaged with the spring catchstructure 61, 62 of the follower 18, with the follower 18 also fastenedto the telescoping member 16 by the pin 17.

FIGS. 8A-8E provide various illustrations of an exemplary embodiment 15Aof the lock plate 15 of FIGS. 1-3. The lock plate 15A of FIGS. 8A-8Eincludes an upper curved portion 80, and a centrally located,spring-loaded lock button 81. A selected coil of the magazine spring 14is received inside and extends through the space surrounded by thecurved portion 80, in order to attach the lock plate 15A to the spring14 (see also FIGS. 1-3). When so attached to the spring 14, the lockplate 15A depends downwardly from the attached coil of the spring 14,with the lock button firmly pressed against the inside wall of thehousing 11 by the magazine spring 14 pressing radially outwardly on thesurface of the lock plate 15A opposite the lock button 81. A suitablemechanism (described hereinafter) is used to compress the magazinespring 14 downwardly into a lower portion of the housing 11. Thiscompression of the magazine spring 14 causes the two attached lockplates 15A to be carried downwardly in the housing 11 on the spring 14.At the end of this downward motion, the lock buttons 81 eventuallybecome engaged within suitable openings in sidewalls of the housing 11.

FIG. 8F illustrates the housing 11 in more detail according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention. In particular, FIG. 8F shows a generallycircular opening 85 in one of the sidewalls of the housing 11. Anothersuch opening (not visible in FIG. 8F) is provided in the oppositesidewall of housing 11. The openings 85 are large enough to receivetherein the lock buttons 81 of the lock plates 15A. As the lock plates15A move downwardly in the housing 11 together with the spring 14, thelock buttons 81 eventually move into alignment with the openings 85 inthe opposite sidewalls of the housing 11. With the lock buttons 81thusly aligned with the openings 85, the spring-loading of the lockbuttons 81 forces them outwardly into the openings 85, thereby lockingthe magazine spring 14 in its compressed position in the lower portionof the housing 11 (see also FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 8F also illustrates an elongated slot 84 in the sidewall of thehousing 11. The slot 84 terminates adjacent the opening 85 as shown.Another such elongated slot (not visible in FIG. 8F) is provided in theopposite sidewall of the housing 11 and contiguous with the opening 85in that sidewall. The elongated slots 84 have a width that is narrowerthan a radius of the lock buttons 81, thereby preventing the lockbuttons 81 from insertion into the slots 84. The elongated slots 84provide access for insertion of a suitable tool into the interior of thehousing 11 in order to apply a downwardly directed force to the magazinespring 14, and thereby permit the magazine spring 14 to be compresseddownwardly far enough for the lock buttons 81 to engage with theopenings 85. FIG. 8F also illustrates that the sidewalls of housing 11extend generally parallel to one another from the closed lower endtoward the open upper end, but taper inwardly toward each other near theupper end. The elongated slots 84 have respective upper portions thatare located in the inwardly tapered portions 87 of the associatedsidewalls.

FIG. 8E illustrates the spring loading of the lock button 81, FIG. 8Dillustrates the compressed position of the lock button 81 when firmlypressed against the interior surface of the housing 11 by the spring 14prior to engagement with the opening 85, and FIG. 8C illustrates theposition of the lock button 81 when urged into the opening 85 via thespring-loading force.

FIG. 9 illustrates a spring compression tool 91 according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The tool 91 has a plate-like, generallydisc-shaped base portion 92 with a central opening 93 defined therein.The opening 93 is configured to conform with a transversecross-sectional shape of the housing 11, thereby permitting the housing11 to be received in, and passed longitudinally through the opening 93.A pair of contact portions 94 extend from the base portion 92 into theopening 93 in a generally opposed relationship to one another. When thehousing 11 is received (upper end first) within the opening 93, thecontact portions 94 are inserted into the upper portions of theelongated slots 84 (see also FIG. 8F) for engagement against a coil ofthe magazine spring 14, for example, the coil on which the lock plates15A are carried, or another coil above the lock plates. When a force isapplied to the base portion 92 in a direction toward the floor plates 12and 13 (see FIGS. 1-3), the contact portions 94 transmit this force ontothe engaged coil of magazine spring 14, thereby causing compression ofthe spring. The base portion 92 has a plurality of ridges formed thereinon opposite sides of the opening 93 in order to facilitate gripping andoperating the tool 91 in the manner described above.

The aforementioned extension of the upper portions of the elongatedslots 84 into the tapered sidewall portions 87 permits movement of thetool 91 downwardly toward the lower closed end of the housing 11 whilethe housing 11 is received within the opening 93, but without thecontact portions 94 engaging the housing sidewalls until the contactportions 94 can be received in the upper portions of the elongated slots84 in the tapered sidewall portions 87. Once the contact portions 94 arereceived in the slots 84, continued downward movement of the tool 91relative to the housing 11 causes the tool 91 to pass beyond the taperedsidewall portions 87, so that the contact portions 94 extend furtherinwardly into the housing 11 through the slots 84 to contact themagazine spring 14.

FIG. 10 illustrates another spring compression tool 110 according toexemplary embodiments of the invention. The tool 110 includes a gripportion 111 and a sleeve portion 112 extending away from the gripportion 111. The interior 113 of the sleeve portion 112 is configured toconform generally with a transverse cross section of the housing 11 tofacilitate insertion of the housing 11 into the sleeve portion 112.Generally opposed contact portions 114 extend from the sleeve portion(also referred to as a base portion) 112 inwardly into the interiorspace 113 of the sleeve portion 112. A user can grasp the grip portion111 in one hand and the housing 11 in the other hand, and insert theupper end of the housing 11 longitudinally into the interior space 113of the sleeve portion 112 in a longitudinal direction. As the housing 11advances into the sleeve portion 112, the opposed contact portions 114are eventually received in the upper portions of the elongated slots 84.From this point, the operation of compressing the magazine spring 14 canproceed in generally the same manner described above with respect to thetool 91.

In some embodiments (shown in various ones of the drawing figures), thehousing 11 does not have the tapered sidewall portions 87 of FIG. 8F. Insuch embodiments, any suitable tool, such as a rod or shaft, can beinserted transversely through the housing 11, via the elongate slots 84in the sidewalls, to engage the magazine spring 14. The spring 14 canthen be compressed by movement of the rod or shaft downwardly relativeto the housing 11.

FIG. 11 illustrates a follower 18A according to further exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The general structure of the follower 18Ais similar to that of the follower 18 (see, e.g., FIG. 6), except aspring-loaded spool 120 is provided within a thru opening 122 definedwithin the follower 18A above the follower extension portion 62. Asshown in FIG. 12, two elongate flexible members 121 are attached to thespring-loaded spool 120, and are extendable from the spool against thespring-loading force, and retractable onto the spool by action of thespring-loading force. In some embodiments, the elongate flexible members121 are formed from a flexible metallic material. In various otherembodiments, the elongate flexible members 121 are made of various othersuitable flexible materials. In some embodiments, the elongate flexiblemembers 121 are formed generally as a ribbon cable. In some embodiments,the elongate flexible members 121 are formed as cables with generallyrounded or circular cross-sections. In some embodiments, the elongateflexible members are metallic and are themselves formed with a springforce characteristic that causes them to tend to wrap themselves aroundthe spool 120.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the follower 18A, showing themounting of the spool 120. The spool 120 is supported on a spindle shaft125 for rotation within the opening 122. The spindle shaft 125 extendsupwardly through the follower extension portion 62 and into the opening122 located above the extension 62. The spindle shaft 125 includes alower, fastening portion that engages with the extension 62 to fastenthe spindle shaft 125 to the follower extension portion 62. In someembodiments, the fastening portion of the spindle shaft is threaded (asshown in FIG. 13) to facilitate threaded engagement within a thru holeextending from the bottom of the extension 62 to the opening 122. Anupper portion of the spindle shaft 125 extends upwardly into the opening122, and is received within a central opening of the spool 120 tosupport the spool 120 for rotation within the opening 122. In someembodiments, the lower end of the spindle shaft is formed as a screwhead for ease of assembly.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the components of a further firearmmagazine according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Themagazine of FIG. 14 is generally similar to the magazine of FIG. 1,except the follower 18A is fitted with a spring-loaded assembly (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 14) that permits flexible elongate members (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 14) such as described above to be extended fromand retracted into the follower 18A as the follower 18A moves downwardlyand upwardly, respectively, in the housing 11. In some embodiments, thespring loaded assembly includes the spool 120 described above withrespect to FIGS. 11-13. Additionally, the lower and upper floor plates12A and 13A in FIG. 12 do not require the thru holes provided in thefloor plates 12 and 13 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates a magazine produced by assembling the components ofFIG. 14. A portion of the housing 11 is cut away in FIG. 15 in order toreveal the components within the housing 11. In the illustration of FIG.15, the magazine spring 14 is in its uncompressed position. The lockplates 15 are not explicitly shown. As shown in FIG. 15, the elongateflexible members 121 extend from the spool 120 and terminate inengagement portions 142 that are adapted to engage with the innersidewalls of the housing 11 to secure the elongate flexible members 121to the housing 11.

FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of FIG. 15 in more detail, showing theattachment of the elongate flexible members 121 to the inner sidewallsof the housing 11 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Apair of brackets 141 (one of which is shown in FIG. 16) are affixed tothe upper interior sidewalls of the housing 11 in generally opposedrelationship to one another. Each of the flexible elongate members 121has provided on a free end thereof an engagement portion 142 thatengages a corresponding one of the brackets 141 in order to secure therespective free ends of the members 121 against movement relative to thehousing 11. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the engagement portions 142include tabs 143. Each tab 143 is received in (hooked into) arespectively corresponding space defined between the interior sidewallof the housing 11 and an inwardly curved portion of the associatedbracket 141. In various embodiments, the members 121 are attached to thehousing inner sidewalls in various other manners. For example, in someembodiments, a suitable adhesive is used to attach the members 121 tothe sidewalls, and spot welding is used in other embodiments.

It can therefore be seen that the spring-loaded spool 120, together withthe elongate flexible members 121, the engagement portions 142, and thebrackets 141, comprise a follower support apparatus that supports thefollower 18A for reciprocal movement within the housing 11. With themagazine spring 14 compressed and the lock buttons 81 (see also FIGS.8A-8E) engaged in the openings 85 (see also FIG. 15), the downward forceof loading (stacking) ammunition rounds onto the follower 18A causes theelongate flexible members 121 to unwrap and extend from the spool 120against the spring-loading force of the spool. This permits the follower18A to move downwardly in the housing 11 as the spring-loading force ofthe spool 120 is overcome. This spool spring force is substantially lessthan the spring force applied by a magazine spring (such as spring 14),which latter force must be overcome to load a conventional magazine.When the process of loading the magazine is completed, the lock buttons81 are released from their engagement in the openings 85, therebypermitting the magazine spring 14 to forcibly urge the follower 18Aupwardly in the housing 11 to progressively deliver ammunition roundsthrough the upper end of the housing into the firing chamber of thefirearm. During this upward movement of the follower 18A, thespring-loading of the spool 120 causes the elongate flexible members 121to be retracted and wrapped back onto the spool.

FIG. 17 illustrates the engagement of a spring-loaded spool 151 and theelongate flexible members 121 according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention. In FIG. 17, the elongate flexible members 121 are separateand distinct members attached to the spring-loaded spool 151. As thefollower 18A moves progressively downwardly in the housing 11 during theprocess of loading the magazine with ammunition rounds, the elongateflexile members 121 are extended and unwrapped from the spool 120against the spring-loading of the spool. As the follower 18A movesprogressively upwardly in the housing 11 to deliver ammunition roundsinto the firing chamber, the elongate flexible members 121 are spooledback onto the spool 120 due to the spring force applied by the spool.The structure and operation of a spring-loaded spool assembly such asshown and described with respect to FIG. 17 is conventional.

FIG. 18 illustrates the engagement of a spring-loaded spool 152 with asingle elongate flexible member 121A (shown diagrammatically with brokenline) according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The spool 152of FIG. 18 includes two separate, axially adjacent portions 152A (upper)and 152B (lower) which are spring-loaded in respectively oppositecircumferential directions. The single, unitary elongate flexible member121A is wrapped around the spool assembly 152 such that one end of themember 121A extends from the upper portion 152A and the other end of themember 121A extends from the lower portion 152B. The oppositely directedspring-loading of the spool portions 152A and 152B permits the oppositeends of the member 121A to be extended from the spool 152 against therespective spring forces, and retracted back onto the spool 152 byoperation of the spring forces. In some embodiments, the two-partspring-loaded spool with single elongate flexible member design shown inFIG. 18 is generally the same design as used in some conventional weedtrimmer products.

FIG. 19 illustrates a firearm according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, with the grip assembly of the firearm shown in exploded view.As shown in FIG. 19, suitable threaded fasteners 198 pass throughopenings 229 in a grip cover 199 and engage with threaded openings 220in a grip portion 191 in order to secure the grip cover 199 to the gripportion 191. The grip cover 199 includes a further opening 227 thatreceives a spring-loaded stem assembly described in detail below.

FIGS. 20A-20C are cross-sectional views of the grip portion 191 of thefirearm of FIG. 19. The grip portion 191 is adapted for use as a springcompression tool for compressing the magazine spring within a magazinehousing that implements a follower support apparatus such as thosedescribed above. In particular, the grip portion 191 has defined thereina pair of thru holes 192 (FIG. 20A) in opposite sidewalls thereof. Thethru holes 192 are generally axially aligned with one another and areadapted to contain respective spring-loaded stems that serve as contactelements for contacting the magazine spring 14 (see also FIGS. 1-3, 14and 15) in order to force the spring into its locked, compressedposition. The stems 193 (FIG. 20C) are spring-loaded in the outwarddirection of the grip portion 191, and the spring force can be overcomeby applying inward pressure with a thumb and forefinger on stem covers194 that respectively cover the outer ends of the stems 193. The stemcovers 194 are elastically compressible as shown in FIG. 20C, andapplication of thumb and forefinger pressure to the stem covers 194causes the stems 193 to move against the force of springs 195 forinsertion into the interior space 206 of the grip portion 191.

The thru holes 192 are defined with an inner, smaller diameter portion,and an outer, larger diameter portion that are concentric. The innerportion defines therein a generally circular cylindrical space, and theouter portion has a diameter that tapers radially inwardly as the hole192 extends outwardly through the grip portion 191. The springs 195 havea diameter greater than the diameter of the inner portion of the hole192. Thus the inner end of each spring 195 engages the grip portion 191at the juncture of the inner and outer portions of the respectivelyassociated thru hole 192. The outer end of each spring 195 is attachedto the outer end of the associated stem 193, so each spring 195 urgesits associated stem 193 outwardly, keeping the stem normally withdrawnfrom the magazine well (i.e., the interior space 206 within the gripportion 191 where the magazine is received), as shown in FIG. 20B. Wheninwardly directed (e.g., thumb and forefinger) pressure applied to thestem covers 194 overcomes the spring forces, the stems 193 move into themagazine well as shown in FIG. 20C. The type of spring-loaded,pushbutton stem operation described above is conventionally known, beingcommonly used to implement devices such as pushbutton on/off switches inflashlights.

FIG. 21 illustrates a firearm 200 according to exemplary embodiments ofthe invention. A grip portion 201 of the firearm 200 has anchored near acenter point thereof a metal tension strip 202. This tension strip iscentrally located on the grip portion 201 and extends downwardly alongthe central part of the grip portion 201. A lower end of the tensionstrip 202 has provided thereon a stem 193 (such as also illustrated inFIGS. 19-20C) that extends inwardly toward the magazine well of thefirearm via a thru hole 192 (in generally the same manner illustrated inFIGS. 19-20C). Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 21, it will beunderstood that the opposite side of the grip portion 201 is alsoanalogously provided with another metal tension strip 202 having anotherstem 193 extending toward the magazine well via another thru hole 192.The metal tension strips 202 are constructed to impart to the stems 193a slight outwardly directed force. Thus, at 205, the metal tension strip202 is anchored to and generally flush with the outer surface of thegrip portion 201. The outward force of the tension strip 202 causes thestem 193 to be normally withdrawn from the magazine well, with the innerfree end 210 of the stem 193 positioned within the thru hole 192.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 19, but illustrates the grip assembly for thefirearm 200 of FIG. 21. The grip cover 222 of FIG. 22 is substantiallysimilar to the grip cover 199 of FIG. 19 with respect both to itsstructure and its assembly onto the grip portion 201. Elasticallydeformable stem cover 194 (such as shown in FIGS. 19-20C) facilitatesexertion of an inwardly directed force onto the stem 193 provided at thelower end of the tension strip 202.

FIGS. 23A-23E show various views of a lock plate 15B according toexemplary embodiments of the invention. The lock plate 15B is adaptedfor cooperation with the stems 193 shown in the embodiments of FIGS.19-22. The lock plate 15B is generally similar to the lock plate 15A ofFIGS. 8A-8E, but is slightly larger in order to provide a thru hole 231above the spring-loaded lock button 81. The thru hole 231 receives thestem 193 when the stem 193 is inserted into the magazine well of thefirearm. With the stem 193 received in the thru hole 231, and themagazine spring 14 attached to the lock plate 15B via the curved portion80 (as described above with respect to lock plate 15A), longitudinalmovement of the magazine housing 11A (see FIGS. 19 and 22) relative tothe grip portion (191 or 201) causes compression of the magazine spring.

FIG. 23F illustrates an example of the housing 11A that is cooperablewith the lock plate 15B for use in the embodiments of FIGS. 19-22. Thehousing 11A is generally similar to the housing 11 (but without thetapered sidewall portions 87), and can be used interchangeably with thehousing 11 to enclose the magazine components illustrated in FIGS. 1-3and 12-18. In addition to the elongate slot 84 and the opening 85 (seealso FIG. 8F), the housing 11A includes further generally circularopenings 232 contiguous with the elongate slot 84 at opposite endsthereof. The openings 232 have a smaller radius than the opening 85, andthe lower opening 232 is interposed between the elongate slot 84 and theopening 85. The openings 232 have a diameter adequate to receive theradially flanged portions 210 (see FIG. 20C) formed at the inner freeends of the stems 193. With the housing 11A inserted into the magazinewell, and with the upper openings 232 axially aligned with the stems193, the stems 193 can be urged into the openings 232 by thumb andforefinger pressure on the stem covers 194. The upper openings 232 areaxially aligned with the openings 231 of the lock plates 15B (FIGS.23A-23E) when the magazine spring 14 is in its uncompressed state. Thelock plate openings 231 receive the stems 193 therein, so that thehousing 11A can be moved upwardly into the grip portion to effectcompression of the magazine spring 14.

As the housing 11A travels upwardly into the grip portion, the stems 193travel along the elongate groove 84 securely locked against extractionby the flanged portions 210 (see also FIG. 20C) on their free ends. Whenthe lower openings 232 of the housing 11A become aligned with the stems193, the thumb and forefinger forces can be removed from the stems 193,so the spring loading of FIG. 19 or the tension strip loading of FIG. 22withdraws the stems 193 from the housing 11A through the lower openings232. This returns the stems 193 to their original positions within thethru holes 192, completely withdrawn from the magazine well. Also, whenthe housing 11A is positioned such that the stems 193 can be withdrawnthrough the lower openings 232 of the housing 11A, the lock buttons 81of the lock plates 15B are aligned with the openings 85 in the housing11A. Thus, the spring loading of the lock buttons 81 causes the lockbuttons 81 to enter into the respective openings 85 and thereby engagethe sidewall of the housing 11A in the same manner described above withrespect to engagement of the lock plates 15A with the housing 11. Atthis point, the housing 11A can be withdrawn from the grip portion,ready to be loaded with ammunition rounds.

The housing 11 described above, with or without the tapered sidewallportions 87, may of course also be used in the firearms of FIGS. 19-22.In such instances, tools such as described above may be used to compressthe magazine spring 14.

In all described embodiments, after the magazine has been loaded withammunition rounds, the lock buttons 81 can be released from theirengagement in the openings 85 of the housing 11 or 11A in any desiredmanner (e.g., thumb and forefinger pressure on the buttons 81), therebyreleasing the magazine spring 14 from its compressed position andcausing it to forcibly urge the ammunition rounds towards the open endof the housing 11 or 11A in a generally convention fashion. In addition,as the loaded magazine housing is being inserted into the magazine well,the spring-loaded stem assemblies of FIGS. 19-22 may be operated toapply inward releasing forces to the lock buttons 81.

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of part of a grip portion of aconventional firearm (or one of the grip portions 191, 201). As shown inFIG. 24, the sidewalls of the grip portion define respective bevels atthe lower, open end of the grip portion where the magazine is received.These beveled portions 240 of the sidewalls will impart inwardlydirected forces onto the lock buttons 81 when the lock buttons 81 reachthe beveled portions 240 during insertion of the housing 11 or 11A intothe magazine well of the grip portion. The sidewalls of the grip portionmaintain this inwardly directed force on the buttons 81 while thehousing 11 or 11A remains within the magazine well. Accordingly, thelock buttons 81 are disengaged from the housing to release thecompression spring 14 by the mere action of inserting the housing 11 or11A into the magazine well. It will be recognized that the sidewalls ofthe housing 11 (11A) and various components within the housing areomitted in FIG. 24 in order not to obscure how the lock buttons 81 arereleased when the housing is inserted into the magazine well.

FIGS. 25 and 25A illustrate a portion of a firearm according toexemplary embodiments of the invention. The firearm of FIGS. 25 and 25A(e.g., a rifle) includes a stock 250 which defines therein alongitudinally extending blind opening 251. A portion of the stock 250is omitted in FIG. 25 to show the opening 251. A pair of contactportions 252 extend from the stock into the opening 251 in generallyopposed relationship to one another. FIG. 25A is an end view of thestock 250, showing that the opening 251 extends through the butt plate253 of the stock to permit insertion of the magazine housing through thebutt plate 253. Insertion of magazine housing 11 longitudinally(left-to-right in FIG. 25) into the opening 251 permits the contactportions 252 to be inserted into the housing 11 in generally the samemanner described above with respect to the spring compression tools ofFIGS. 9 and 10, thereby causing the desired compression of the magazinespring 14. The housing 11 can then be withdrawn from the opening 251,ready to be loaded with ammunition rounds.

FIGS. 26 and 26A illustrate a firearm generally similar to that of FIGS.25 and 25A, except an additional pair of generally opposed contactportions 262 also protrude into opening 251. The additional pair ofcontact portions 262 can be useful for the relatively large magazinehousings as would be used with firearms such as shown in FIGS. 25-26A.Embodiments that exploit the additional protrusions 262 also provide ineach sidewall of the magazine housing an additional elongated groove 84(generally parallel to the one shown in FIG. 8F) for receiving theadditional pair of protrusions.

FIG. 27 illustrates a portion of a firearm according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The stock 270 of the firearm of FIG. 27defines therein a thru opening 271 extending transversely through thestock 270. A pair of protrusions 272 extend from the stock into theopening 271 in generally opposed relationship for insertion into slots84 to contact and compress the magazine spring 14 as the magazinehousing 11 is inserted transversely through the opening 271.

FIG. 28 illustrates a firearm according to exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The firearm of FIG. 28 is generally similar to that of FIG.27 but includes an additional pair of contact portions 282 protrudinginto the opening 271 to facilitate compressing the magazine spring oflarger magazines associated with firearms such as illustrated in FIGS.27 and 28. Embodiments that exploit the additional protrusions 282 alsoprovide in each sidewall of the magazine housing an additional elongatedgroove 84 (generally parallel to the one shown in FIG. 8F) for receivingthe additional pair of protrusions.

FIG. 29 illustrates a portion of a firearm according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The stock 290 has defined therein atransversely extending thru opening 291. A pair of generally opposedcontact portions 292 protrude into the thru opening for engaging andcompressing the magazine spring as the housing is inserted transverselythrough the opening 291. The stock of FIG. 29 further defines therein acavity 293 located above the thru opening 291 for storing a magazine orother desired object(s). A rubber butt pad 295, which is conventionallyfitted into the rear of a stock and fixedly secured to the stock with asuitable adhesive, is instead fitted into the rear of the stock 290 andremovably secured in position by any suitable arrangement, for example astrap and buckle arrangement shown generally at 296 in FIG. 29. Theremovable butt pad 295 provides convenient access to the storage cavity293. In some embodiments, the opening 291 is rotated 90 degrees relativeto that shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 30 illustrates a portion of a firearm generally similar to that ofFIG. 29, but including a thru opening 301 extending transversely throughthe stock 300 and having two pairs of generally opposed contact portions302 protruding from the stock into the opening 301. In some embodiments,the opening 301 is rotated 90 degrees relative to that shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 illustrates the remainder of a firearm that attaches inconventional fashion to a stock such as shown in FIGS. 25-28 to producea complete firearm (e.g., a rifle). The magazine housing 11B hasprovided in each sidewall thereof an elongated slot 84A having anopening 232 contiguously adjoining its lower end. The slots 84A (onlyone of which is visible in FIG. 31) conform to the shape of the housing11B, having a slight bend at 311. The magazine housing 11B is notcompletely received within the magazine well portion 310, so asubstantial portion of the slot 84A is exposed outside the magazine wellportion 310. In some embodiments that use the telescoping member 16, thehole 63 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is large enough to accommodate the slightpivoting that the follower 18 experiences as it travels past the bend at311. In some embodiments, the bottom of the telescoping member 16 issecured to the bottom of the housing 11B at a position offset slightlytoward the stock (relative to the position shown in FIGS. 1-3) in orderto accommodate pivoting by the follower 18. In some embodiments, thebottom section of the telescoping member 16 is provided with a ballpivot joint similar to that used to pivot the telescoping antenna of aconventional portable radio.

FIG. 32 illustrates further embodiments of the lock plate 15 (see alsoFIGS. 1 and 14). In some embodiments, the lock plate 15C of FIG. 32 isgenerally similar in construction to lock plates 15A (FIGS. 8A-8E) and15B (FIGS. 23A-23E), but the lock button 81 is not itself spring-loaded.Instead, it is mounted in the lock plate 15C so as to be urged outwardly(rightwardly in FIG. 32) by a spring-loaded pin assembly 320. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 33, the pin assembly 320 is constructedgenerally similarly to pin assemblies such as are conventionally used tosecure a watch band to a wristwatch. Spring-loaded pins 321 extendoutwardly from an elongate central body 322 that houses therein springswhich load the respective pins 321.

The pins 321 engage the lock buttons 81 in any suitable fashion, inorder to urge the lock buttons outwardly. In some embodiments, the freeends of the pins are received in corresponding receptacle holes (notexplicitly shown) formed in inner surfaces of the lock buttons 81. Insome embodiments, the free ends of the pins 321 are flanged to provideoutwardly facing surfaces (not explicitly shown) suitable to contact theinner surfaces of the lock buttons 81 over a surface area sufficient toproduce a stable engagement between the pin and the lock button.

FIG. 34 is similar to FIG. 24A, and illustrates the pin assembly 320engaged between the lock buttons 81 within the magazine well. FIG. 34further illustrates that pin assembly 320 extends laterally across themagazine well such that it does engage the magazine spring 14 when thespring is compressed. However, the physical dimension 330 of the centralbody 322 is small enough (e.g., about the size of a thick watchband pin)to avoid any significant interference with compression of the magazinespring 14.

FIGS. 35 and 36 diagrammatically illustrate a locking assembly 350 forreleasably locking the magazine spring 14 to one of the sidewalls of thehousing 11 (see also, e.g., FIG. 1) according to further exampleembodiments of the present work. The locking assembly 350 may beemployed as an alternative to any of the above-described mechanisms forreleasably locking the compressed magazine spring 14 to the sidewalls ofthe housing 11 (see, e.g., 15 in FIGS. 1, and 15C/320 in FIGS. 32 and33). The locking assembly 350 includes a pin carrier 351 that supports aspring-loaded pin assembly 352 having an end portion 353 configured toextend into one of the openings 85 in the housing 11 (see also FIG. 8F).In some embodiments, the end portion 353 is constructed similarly to thepins 321 described above relative to FIGS. 32 and 33, but hasapproximately the same diameter as the lock buttons 81. In someembodiments, the pin carrier 351 is constructed from the same moldedplastic material as a conventional follower.

The pin carrier 351 has a generally annular structure with an outerperimeter that is generally conformal with, and slightly smaller than, atransverse cross-sectional profile of the interior of housing 11. Thisconfiguration permits the locking assembly 350 to be received insidehousing 11 for movement therein, where the movement of the lockingassembly 350 is guided by the close conformity between the outerperimeter of the pin carrier 351 and the interior profile of the housing11. As shown also in FIG. 36, the pin carrier 351 defines therein acentral opening 354 to allow the magazine spring 14 to pass through thelocking assembly 350. This is also shown in FIG. 38. Referring again toFIGS. 35 and 36, the spring-loaded pin assembly 352 extends completelyacross the central opening 354. FIG. 36 also shows that the pin carrier351 has formed therein a spring seat 355 extending along and surroundingthe central opening 354. The spring seat 355 is configured to engage andseat against a selected coil of the magazine spring 14. When the pincarrier 351 is received within the housing 11 and the spring seat 355 isseated against the selected coil of spring 14, the end portion 353 ofthe spring-loaded pin assembly 352 is urged against one sidewall of thehousing 11.

When seated on the spring 14 with the end portion 353 urged against asidewall of housing 11, the locking assembly 350 operates analogously tothe various arrangements of lock buttons 81 described above. That is, asthe pin carrier 351 moves downwardly in the housing 11 with compressionof the spring 14 (by a tool such as shown, e.g., in FIG. 9 or 10), theend portion 353 eventually becomes aligned with the opening 85 in thesidewall against which it is engaged. The spring-loading then forces theend portion 353 outwardly into the opening 85 to lock the spring 14 intoa compressed position in the lower part of the housing 11 (see also,e.g., FIG. 2). After the magazine is loaded with ammunition rounds, theend portion 353 may then be pushed inwardly, from outside the housing11, to release the engagement between the end portion 353 and theopening 85, thereby releasing the spring 14.

Some embodiments dispense with follower supports such as describedabove, and instead adjust the position of the unitary magazine spring 14to reduce the urging force that the spring 14 applies to the followerduring loading of ammunition rounds. This reduces the forces encounteredduring ammunition loading, thereby permitting easier loading thanconventional magazines. Such embodiments locate the locking mechanism(e.g., 15 of FIG. 1, 15C/320 of FIGS. 32-34, or 350 of FIGS. 35 and 36)at a coil of the spring 14 that is selected to permit the spring 14 toremain engaged against the follower even after the spring 14 has beencompressed into the lower part of the housing and locked to the housingsidewall. This is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 37.

In FIG. 37, the spring 14 is shown in its compressed position, alreadylocked to the housing (not explicitly shown). Reference numeral 370designates the selected coil of the spring 14 where the spring is lockedto the housing by the locking mechanism (not explicitly shown). As isevident from FIG. 37, the coil at 370 is selected to permit the spring14 to remain engaged against the follower after the spring 14 has beencompressed and locked to the housing. The lower portion 371 of thespring 14 (the portion below coil 370) is compressed substantially morethan is the upper portion 372 of the spring 14 (the portion above coil370). Moreover, it is evident that the less-compressed upper portion 372urges less forcibly against the follower than does the spring 14 whenthe lower portion 371 is not compressed and locked as shown. Thus, theforces required to load successive ammunition rounds are reduced by thepositional adjustment of the spring 14 illustrated in FIG. 37. Afterloading is complete, the locking mechanism is operated to release thespring 14 for cooperation with the follower in conventional fashion todeliver ammunition rounds to the firing chamber.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been describedabove in detail, this does not limit the scope of the invention, whichcan be practiced in a variety of embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus that facilitates compressing aspring in a firearm ammunition magazine prior to insertion of ammunitionrounds into the firearm ammunition magazine, comprising: a base portion:and a contact portion protruding from said base portion for removableinsertion into the firearm ammunition magazine via an opening in thefirearm ammunition magazine; wherein said contact portion, when insertedinto the firearm ammunition magazine, engages the spring and permits aforce applied to one of said base portion and the firearm ammunitionmagazine to be transferred to the spring in a direction that causescompression of the spring.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidbase portion defines therein a base portion opening that receivesinsertion of said firearm ammunition magazine, and said contact portionprotrudes into said base portion opening.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein said base portion includes a plate-like element, and said baseportion opening extends through said plate-like element.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein said base portion includes a sleeve-likeelement having an interior space contiguous with said base portionopening.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base portion isprovided in a stock of a firearm.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinsaid base portion opening is a through opening.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said base portion opening is a blind opening.
 8. Afirearm apparatus for firing ammunition rounds loaded into a firingchamber thereof, comprising: means defining a well adapted to receiveinsertion of an ammunition magazine that contains a spring for forciblyurging ammunition rounds into said firing chamber when the ammunitionmagazine is inserted in said well; means defining a magazine insertionopening also adapted to receive insertion of the ammunition magazine;and a contact portion protruding into said magazine insertion opening;wherein, when the ammunition magazine is inserted in said magazineinsertion opening, said contact portion is received in the ammunitionmagazine via an opening in the ammunition magazine, and wherein saidcontact portion, when received in the ammunition magazine, engages thespring in the ammunition magazine and permits a force applied to one ofsaid firearm apparatus and the ammunition magazine to be transferred tothe spring in a direction that causes compression of the spring.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, including a stock having said magazine insertionopening defined therein.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein saidmagazine insertion opening is a through opening.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said magazine insertion opening is blind opening.
 12. Afirearm apparatus for firing ammunition rounds loaded into a firingchamber thereof, comprising: means defining a well adapted to receiveinsertion of an ammunition magazine that contains a spring for forciblyurging ammunition rounds into said firing chamber when the ammunitionmagazine is inserted in said well; and a contact portion supported formovement into said well; wherein, when the ammunition magazine isinserted in said well while said contact portion is positioned in saidwell, said contact portion is received in the ammunition magazine via anopening in the ammunition magazine, and wherein said contact portion,when received in the ammunition magazine, engages the spring in theammunition magazine and permits a force applied to one of said firearmapparatus and the ammunition magazine to be transferred to the spring ina direction that causes compression of the spring.
 13. A magazineapparatus for delivering ammunition rounds into a firing chamber of afirearm, comprising: a housing configured for insertion into a magazinewell of the firearm; a follower disposed and movably supported withinsaid housing, said follower configured to support thereon a stack ofammunition rounds within said housing; a spring disposed within saidhousing for forcibly urging said follower and the stack of ammunitionrounds toward the firing chamber when said housing is inserted in themagazine well; said housing having a pair of opposed sidewalls that faceone another in a direction generally transverse to a compressiondirection of said spring; and a locking assembly carried on said springand cooperable with one of said sidewalls to releasably lock said springto said housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said lockingassembly includes a pair of lock plates carried on opposites sides ofsaid spring and respectively adjacent said pair of opposed sidewalls,wherein each said lock plate has a lock button disposed thereon, whereinsaid opposed sidewalls define therein respective through openingsconfigured to receive the respective lock buttons, and wherein saidlocking assembly is configured for forcing said lock buttonsrespectively into said openings when said lock buttons are respectivelyaligned with said openings.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein saidlock buttons are spring-loaded on the respective lock plates to providesaid forcing.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said lockingassembly includes a pin assembly having a pair of oppositely directed,spring-loaded engagement pins respectively engaged with said lockbuttons to provide said forcing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, whereineach said lock plate has at one end thereof a curved portionsubstantially surrounding a coil of said spring such that the lock platedepends from said spring.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein saidlock plates define therein respective through holes configured toreceive therein respective contact portions of an external apparatus,and wherein the contact portions are configured for engaging said lockplates to facilitate compression of said spring.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein said opposed sidewalls define therein respectivethrough slots extending in said compression direction for permitting thecontact portions to (1) pass through the sidewalls and into said throughholes and (2) move relative to said housing in said compressiondirection while received in said through holes.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein each said through hole is located between theassociated lock button and the associated curved portion.